Page 1826 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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The 40 kilometre an hour speed limit in town centres is one example of government initiatives aimed at providing safer travel for vulnerable road users. Measures such as this are an important component of our road safety strategy and broader active transport policies. Other measures to support vulnerable road users include road safety awareness campaigns, licensing and training reforms for motorcyclists, and the continued implementation of on-road cycle lanes as part of new roadworks and resealing programs.
The government’s road safety awareness program includes the share the road campaign, which has a particular focus on being aware of vulnerable road users. The share the road campaign includes television and cinema commercials and is broadcast several times a year.
In addition to this, the Justice and Community Safety Directorate is currently developing an awareness brochure on vulnerable road users which will be included with registration renewal notices from 2014.
Awareness campaigns aimed at improving motorists’ attitudes towards vulnerable road users are important. However, it is equally important for vulnerable road users to obey the road rules and accept responsibility for their own actions. In line with this, JACS is currently working with ACT Policing to consider expanding the share the road campaign to include messages that could be directed to cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Providing messages to vulnerable road users about safe and appropriate conduct on our roads is necessary and may promote greater responsiveness by motorists to act on messages which are directed at them when they can see that similar messaging is being directed at other road users.
In addition to these initiatives, and as Mr Rattenbury has indicated, the government has completed its investment in the design and construction of the first stage of the Civic cycle loop, which, when completed, will be a 3.2-kilometre cycle path around the entire city centre. The loop aims to minimise the difficulties associated with travel on congested footpaths and roads in the city area. The first two stages have been opened to the public in Marcus Clarke Street and Rudd Street. For most of the length of the cycleway, a wide cycle path at footpath grade has been provided which offers segregation and increased protection from vehicular traffic. To increase visibility and safety, cycle lanes across driveways and intersections are at road level with green line marking. Completion of the entire Civic city loop is scheduled for late 2014.
The increasing number of motorcyclists across all jurisdictions also requires an ongoing focus, especially given that this group faces a fatal crash risk about 30 times higher than other road users. In response to this, the government completed a review of ACT motorcycle licensing and training requirements in 2011, and legislation making pre-provisional training compulsory for novice motorcyclists came into effect in July last year.
While the government has a number of existing programs in place to protect vulnerable road users, it is important that we do not lose sight of the issues affecting these road users and that we continue to provide leadership and consider other
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